Below is a practical, compact guide to comprehensive wedding-planning services in India — what “comprehensive” covers, who to consider (national/luxury/destination/boutique options), typical pricing models, hiring & contract checklist, and quick next steps.

What “comprehensive wedding planning” means

• End‑to‑end planning and delivery: concept & design, venue search & negotiation, full vendor sourcing (catering, décor/florals, lighting, AV, photography/videography, entertainment, makeup/styling, stationery), guest travel + accommodation, hospitality & on‑site logistics, permits/insurance, rehearsals and day‑of management, gifting/welcome hampers and post‑wedding wrap‑up. Full‑service planners also handle budgets, timelines and contingency management. (brides.com, shaadisquad.com)

Recommended planners and specialists (examples across tiers)

• Luxury / celebrity & high‑design (large multi‑city teams): Shaadi Squad (Mumbai) — known for celebrity and bespoke destination weddings; Seven Steps (Mumbai) — high‑end design & celebrity events; The Wedding Design Company (Delhi/NCR) and Motwane/ Wed Gurus (Mumbai). These firms do multi‑day, fully produced events. (vogue.in, wedsfy.in)
• Large-market / franchise & scale: FNP Weddings (Ferns N Petals group) — very large operations across India, useful for scale and logistics; Percept/other event houses for corporate‑scale execution. (fnpweddings.com)
• Destination specialists & boutique designers: The Event Designer, Meraki Weddings, 7X Weddings, 7FERA and other boutique teams that focus on palace/heritage, beach or overseas destination weddings. (wedmegood.com, 7xweddings.com, 7fera.in)
• Regional / value & mid‑market planners: BMP Weddings, Designer Events Inc, Wedniksha and many highly rated local firms found on marketplaces (WedMeGood, Wedsfy). These are good when you want hands‑on support without celebrity pricing. (wedsfy.in, wedmegood.com)

Typical services included in a comprehensive package

• Initial concept & moodboards, venue scouting and contract negotiation, full décor & production (set builds, florals, lighting), F&B management and menu tastings, vendor contracting & management, guest accommodation blocks + airport transfers, entertainment booking & run‑of‑show, rehearsals & day‑of coordination, stationery & gifting, contingency planning and final reconciliation. (Planners vary on what’s “included” vs. add‑ons — always get a detailed scope.) (shaadisquad.com, fnpweddings.com)

How planners typically charge (models & ballpark ranges)

• Common pricing models: percentage of total wedding budget (common for luxury planners), flat/package fee, per‑function pricing, or day‑/hourly coordination. Percentage ranges reported in India: roughly 10–20% for luxury planners; mid‑range/packaged planners often quote fixed fees (several lakhs) or per‑function charges. For example, some top planners publish starting planning fees in the multi‑lakh to multi‑crore range depending on scale. Smaller/full‑service planners can quote from a few lakhs upward; ultra‑luxury productions run much higher. Always ask whether vendor commissions/markups are included. (moneycontrol.com, wedsfy.in, elsewhereweddings.com)

When to hire a comprehensive planner

• Ideally 9–12+ months before the wedding (earlier for peak season venues, destination weddings or celebrity/large‑scale events). If you’ve got less time, hire immediately and prioritize venue, key vendors (photography, F&B) and permits. (vogue.com, wedmegood.com)

Shortlist & interview checklist (what to ask / verify)

• Experience & relevant portfolio (similar size, location, style). Ask for 2–3 full wedding case studies.
• Detailed scope and exclusions (who does what, what’s an add‑on).
• Fee structure and payment schedule; whether the fee is a percentage, flat fee, or per‑function. Get a written breakdown.
• Vendor relationships vs. markups — who they contract directly and whether they mark up vendor costs.
• On‑site team size and point of contact for the event week (names, roles).
• Cancellation, postponement and force‑majeure clauses (critical for destination/out‑of‑state events).
• Insurance / liability coverage and permits they will obtain.
• Deliverables and timelines (milestones, production schedule, run‑of‑show).
• References & client reviews; visit a live event if possible. (shaadisquad.com, moneycontrol.com)

Contract essentials (must include)

• Full scope of services, detailed inclusions/exclusions, payment schedule, cancellation & refund terms, vendor selection & change policy, contingency plans and penalties, timelines and final deliverables, liability/insurance, force‑majeure clause, and a clause for dispute resolution. Keep all verbal promises in writing. (Keep a copy of vendor contracts the planner signs on your behalf.) (moneycontrol.com)

Practical timeline (high level)

• 9–12 months: hire planner, set budget, book venue & core vendors.
• 6–8 months: finalize decor concept, major contracts (caterer, photographer), lock guest list and accommodation.
• 3–4 months: send invites, finalize menus, entertainment, stylist trials.
• 1 month: confirm run‑of‑show, seating, vendor reconfirmations. Week of: on‑site coordination. (Use a month‑by‑month checklist; many Indian sites and international wedding outlets publish useful timelines.) (vogue.com, wedmegood.com)

Red flags to watch for

• Vague or verbal‑only scope, no written deliverables, unusually low price with many vague “extras,” refusal to provide references or full case studies, no clear on‑site team. Also be wary if a planner insists on using only their vendors without explaining benefits. (moneycontrol.com)

Quick next steps (3 actions you can take right now)

1. Set a realistic overall budget and approximate guest count — this determines the planner tier you should shortlist.
2. Shortlist 3 planners (mix of one luxury, one mid‑market and one regional boutique) and ask for a written proposal that shows scope, timeline and an itemized fee. Use portfolios and reviews on marketplaces like WedMeGood / Wedsfy to find candidates. (wedmegood.com, wedsfy.in)
3. Compare proposals side‑by‑side against the